Control device



Feb. 22, 1944.

c. WANTZ CONTROL DEVICE Original Filed Nov. 10, 1938 l -/04z v03 nu Q BY dam Patented Feb. 22, 1944 CONTROL DEVICE Clarence Wantz, Milwaukee, Wis., assignor to Milwaukee Gas Specialty Company, Milwaukee, Win, a corporationo! Wisconsin Original application November 10, 1938, Serial No. 239,790, now Patent No. 2,307,870, datedv January 12, 1943. Divided and this application February 23, 1942, Serial No. 432,053

Claims.

This invention relates to a control device for heating and other apparatus, and has particular relation to an improved thermoelectric safety I shutoff device.

The present application is a division of my 00-, pending application Serial No. 239,790, filed November 10, 1938, and now Patent No. 2,307,870, granted January 12, 1943.

One of the main objects of the present invention is to provide an improved form of safety reset means having means for shutting oi! the supply of fluid through the conduit, and particularly the flow of fuel to the main burner during the operation of resetting the armature to attracted position and the safety shutofl valve to open position,

and, further, having a packless reset stem provided with a valve member which cooperates with the valve body to prevent leakage from the valve body along the resetstem when the reset stem is in its outer position,

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing in which the single figure is an axial section through a thermoelectric safety shutoff device embodying the present invention, showing more or less diagrammatically the thermocouple or thermoelectric generator connected in circuit with the electromagnet, a main burner, and a pilot burner for lighting the main burner and for heating the thermocouple.

Referring to the drawing, the burner i0 is any suitable or preferred main burner-by way of example, for an oven, or for a room heater or a water heater, or it may be One of the main top burners of a gas range, or any other main burner.

A pipe ll supplies gaseous or any other suitable fuel to the burner l0, and disposed in juxtaposition to-the burner I0 is a pilot burner l 2 which maintains a pilot light l3 for igniting the main burner. The pilot burner I2 is supplied with fuel y a tube l4 connected, for example, at l5, to the interior of the valve body 20, by way of example through one or more ports and an annular groove in the valve seat member 65 within the length of said member. The tube l4 may, of'course, be connected to the fuel supply pipe I l anterior of the valve body 20 within the scope of the present invention.

The thermoelectric control device, designated in its entirety at i8, comprises a valve body 20 having an inlet 2| and an outlet 22 for connection into the fuel supply pipe ll.

The leadconnection cap and magnet and armature housing assembly is mounted upon the top of the valve body 20 as the same is viewed in the drawing, and, when in place, closes the upper end of the bore 23 therein. The lead connection cap 24, which is preferably formed of "Bakelite" or any other suitable or preferred insulating material, may be of the external form more fully disclosed in the parent application, or of any other suitable or preferred form. It has at its inner end an integral cylindrical extension 25 which fits into a counterbore 26 at the outer end of the bore 23, and the cap 24 is fastened in place upon the outer end of the valve body 20, for example by cap screws (not shown) and preferably with a sealing gasket or washer 28 between thecap and the valve body.

The magnet housing 30 is in the form of an outwardly opening cup-shaped metal shell mounted on the cap 24, for example .by secure pressed fit engagement of its outer open end in the cap 24 at 32. The housing or shell 30 is reduced at its inner end at 33, and the armature housing 34, which is also in the form of an outwardly opening cup-shaped metal shell, is mounted on the shell 30, for example, by secure pressed fit engagement of its open outer end telescopically over the reduced inner end 33 of the shell 30. The innor end of the shell 34 is preferably reduced as shown.

The electromagnet comprises a generally U- shaped magnet frame 36 positioned within the shell 30 with its legs extending through openings in the inner end of this shell and presenting pole ends within the armature housing 34. The magnet frame 36 has a threaded stud 31 integral therewith or welded or otherwise rigidly joined thereto. This stud 31 extends into an opening or recess 33 in the top of the cap 24, and has threaded engagement with a nut member 33 for clamping the magnet frame rigidly and, at the same time, removably in place. The nut member 39 has a kerf 40 for engagement by a screw driver or other suitable tool, and a spring washer may be provided between the nut member 39 and the bottom of the recess 38 as indicated at 4|.

Fixed rigidly in the cap 24, as, for example, by molding the insulating material of the cap thereto and extending endwise from the cap are a pair of spaced metallic terminal members 42 and 43 having aligned openings 44 and split outwardly ductors.

1 ofthe magnet frame 36,. 3|- may also be adapted for detachment from turns of the coil 46 and the legs of the magnet frame 36, and between the inner end of the shell 3|] and the adjacent end of the coil 46 as shown,

by way of example, at SI and 52, respectively.

The armature 65 is disposed in the armature housing 34 and is adapted to be held in attracted position against the pole ends of the magnet member, constitutes an enclosure about the inner thermocouple member and the inner lead conframe 36 upon energization of the electromagnet.

The armature 55 isof disc-like form and is secured to the outer end of a reciprocatory valve stem 61. The attachment of the armature to the valve stem 51 at. 58 is preferably sufllciently loose, as indicated at 59, to permit self-accommodation of the armature to the pole ends of the magnet frame by a generally universal movement mocouple member 11 disposed within the outer thermocouple member and joined at one end to the end of the outer thermocouple member to form the thermojunction 18 which is placed in position to be heated by the pilot light l3. An inner lead conductor 19 is joined to the inner thermocouple member to form an internal thermojunction 80, .and an outer tubular lead conductor 8| is connected to the outer thermocouple member through a sleeve 8| to form a third thermojunction 82. The outer lead conductor 8| encloses the inner lead conductor and, with the outer thermocouple ductor and the inner'thermocouple junction 80. The inner lead conductor 13 is insulated from the -outer, lead conductor by a wrapping of insulation of the armature upon the outer end of the valve stem. The stem 51 is disposed generally concentrically with respect to the armature housing 34 and extends inwardly for reciprocating movement through an opening 60 in the inner end of the housing 34. v

The valve member 62 is fixed by a pin 63" upon the inner end of thevalve stem 51 preferably for some relative movement thereon so as to have self-accommodating seatirg engagement with the cooperating valve seat 64 at the outer end of the valve seat member 65. Packing 68, of felt or posite end the inner lead conductor 19 extends other suitable or preferred material, is interposed between the bottom of the armature housing 34 and a metal valve spring seating disc 69. The valve spring 16 is in the form of a coiled compression spring interposed between the valve member 62 and the spring seating disc 69, and, if desired, centered at opposite ends about integral hub-like portions on the valve member. 62 and the valve seating disc 63. The spring I0 resiliently moves the armature 55 to retracted position and the valve member 62 into seating engagement :with the valve seat 64 to shut off the flow of fuel to the outlet 22 and thereby to the main burner when the electromagnet is de--' energized.

The disc as seats inwardly upon a shoulder .12

in the bore 23, and the action ofthe spring 10' tends to compress the packing 68 and maintain same in sealing engagement with the bore 23 and with'the valve stem 51 to seal the interior of the armature housing 34 from the gaseous or other fuel which passes through the valve body, and to seal the valve body against the escape of fuel out around the cap and magnet and armature housing assembly. The device is further escape of 'fuel by the gasket the lead connection cap 24 to permit accew to the magnet frame 36 and magnet coil 46-.

The thermocouple 15 selected for illustration is of the type-disclosed and claimed in Oscar J;

Leins Patent No. 2,126,564, granted August 9, 1938. It comprises an outer tubular metallic thermocouple member 16 and an inner metallic ther-.

on the-inner lead conductor as indicated at 84.

The inner and outer lead conductors 19 and BI are preferably of a character which will permit bending, as desired, to permit disposing the thermocouple in any desired position. At the same, time the lead connection is preferably of a character to support the thermocouple in anyonesired position, although supporting brackets or other means may be employed for supporting the thermocouple and lead connection. At the opfrom the. outer lead conductor 8| and has a metallic terminal sleeve 86 fixed thereon in good conductive contact therewith and spaced from the end of the outer lead conductor 8|. An insulating sleeve 81 is interposed betwe'en the terminal sleeve 86 and the adjacent end of the outer lead conductor 8|.

A quick detachable connection is thus provided between the thermocouple leads and the terminals 42 and 43 for the electromagnet coil 46. The thermocouple is connected to the terminals 42 and 43 by slipping the terminal end or the thermocouple lead means through the opening 44 in one terminal member 43 and into the opening 44 in' the other terminal member, with the terminal sleeve 86 in the opening -44 in one terminal memcouple is disconnected from-the device by loosening the screws 30 and withdrawing the terminal end of the thermocouple leads from the terminal members 42 and 43.

The quick-detachable connection permits the thermocouple with its leads to be detached from the control devlce'in shipment. At the same time 7 the thermocouple may be connected to the control device expeditiously, and when connected good conductive contact is assured. This is imcouple is sufficient to hold the armature in attracted position and the valve member 62 in open position, as shown, when the armature is engaged with the pole ends of the magnet frame,

but this thermoelectric current is not capable of I movingthearmature to attracted position and the valve member 62 to open position. In order,

therefore, to provide for opening the valve mem-- ber 62and for setting the armature to attracted position upon the initial operation of the device and to reset the device after the same closes to shutoff the fuel supply when the pilot light is extinguished. reset means is provided. This reset means comprises, a reset stem 95 coaxial with the valve 62 and extending through the lower end of the valve housing 20. The stem-95 is provided at its outer end with a reset stem knob or button 96.

Fixed upon the stem 95 for reciprocatory movement'therewith is a reset member 91 which has abutting engagement at 99 with a reset spring cup. 99. A fuel flow interrupter spring I is interposed between the spring cup 99 and a flow interrupter disc valve I02, a retainer being provided at I03 for limiting inward movement of the disc valve I02 relative to the reset stem 95. The disc valve I02 is'adapted to seat upon the. valve seat I04 at the adjacent end of the valve seat member 65 to shut off or interrupt the flow of fuel to the outlet 22 and, thereby, to the main burner during the resetting operation and until.

thevalve member 62 is heldin open position by the thermoelectric current and the reset stem 95 is released.

The valve seat member 65 is in the form or a sleeve threaded into the valve body at I05, and a coiled spring I06 is interposed between the shoulder I01 0n the valve seat member 65 and the spring cup 99. The spring cup 99 is provided with a vent opening I08, and the reset interrupts or shuts off the flow of fuel through the outlet 22, and thereby to the main burner. .Continued inward movement of the reset stem 95 brings the inner end of this stem into contact with the valve member 62 and moves this valve Inresetting the device the flow interrupter valve disc I02 shuts ofi the outlet 22 against the passage of fuel therethrough while the valve 62 is in open position during the resetting operation, and, at the same time, fuel is. free to pass through the pilot burner connection I5 to the pilot burner upon opening the valve member 62 in resetting the device. As the valve 62 is opened in the resetting operation, fuel passes out through the pilot port connection I5 to the pilot burner so that the pilot burner may be ignited to set up the thermoelectric current for energizing the electromagnet to hold the armature in attracted position and the valve 62 open.

. If the pilot burner I2 is lighted and sets up a thermoelectric current to hold the armature in fill member 98 has a conical valve part I 09 which i seats-upon a shoulder H0 in the valve body and seals the opening Ill through which the stem 95 extends when the parts are positioned as shown.

The operation of the device is as follows: When the pilot light I3 is burning the heat thereof upon the thermojunction 18 produces a thermoelectric current in the coil 46. The magnet frame 36 and armature 55 are preferably formed of an alloy of relatively low magnetic reluctance and, as a result, the relatively weak electromotive force produces a magnetic field of sumcient-strength so that when the armature 55 is placed in contact with the pole ends of the magnet frame by pushing the reset button 96, the magnetic attraction holds the armature in attracted position as long as the pilot flame is burning;

If the pilot flame is extinguished, the holding action of the electromagnet ceases to be sufficient any residual magnetization therein. The clos' ing of the valve 62 shuts off the supply of fuel to the'main burner.

When it is desired to reset the device, the reset button 96 is engaged with the hand and pressed inwardly. The accompanying inward movement of the stem 95 and reset member 91 moves the reset spring cup 99 inwardly againstthe tension of the springs I00 and I06. The reset member 91 forces the flow interrupter valve disc I02 inwardly through the spring I00 until the disc I02 seats upon the valve seat I04 and attractedposition, the valve 62 will remain open, and when the reset button 96 is released the springs I00 and I06, and particularly the reset spring I06, will return the reset button to its outwardly projected position as shown in the drawing. As the reset stem is projected to its holding the valve 62 open, this valve will move to closed position upon release of the button 96. In this manner the device prevents the passage of fuel through the outlet 22 to the main burner until the pilot burner is lighted and a thermoelectric current set up to hold the armature in attracted position.

I do not intend to be limited to the precise details shown or described.

I claim:

1. In a device of the character described, a valve body having an inlet and an outlet, a safety shutofi valve element having an open position and a closed position for establishing and shut ting oil communication between said inlet and outlet, an armature connected to said valve element, an electromagnet cooperable with said armature efl'ective when energized to hold said armature in attracted position and said valve element in open position but ineffective to move said armature to attracted position and said valve element to open position, a reset stem movable inwardly through said valve body for resetting said armature to attracted position and said valve element to open position, a second valve element positioned on said reset stem having a closed position for shutting off communication between said inlet and outlet during the resetting operation and an open position, 'said reset stem being slidable through said seco'nd valve element, reset spring abutment means on said reset stem comprising a. third valve element fixed on said reset stem, a reset spring within said body interposed between said abutment means and an abutment on said valve body for returning said reset stem to its outer position.

upon completion of the resetting operation, retainer means on said reset stem, and a second springwithin said body interposed between said abutment means and said second valve element so as normally tohold said second valve element against the retainer, the arrangement being such as to permit continued movement of said reset stem after seating of said second valve element during resetting operations and unseating thereof by return of said reset stem to its outer position, said third valve element cooperating with said valve body for forming a fluid tight closure about said reset stem in the outer position of the latter.

2. In a device of the character described, in combination, a safety shut-off device including a valve body, a passage therethrough adapted to be connected at one end to an inlet conduit and at its other end to an outlet conduit, said passage having a pair of coaxial spaced valve seats, a

'valve element'coacting with one of said seats reset stem and arranged to cooperate with the other valve seat to shut ofl flow of fluid through the passage during a resetting operation, a reset spring-abutment member on said reset stem, a

reset spring interposed between said abutment member and an abutment on the valve body for returning the reset stem to its outer position upon completion of the resetting operation, retainer means on said reset stem, a second spring interposed between said abutment member and said second valve elementso as normally to hold said second valve element against the retainer,

, the arrangement being such as to permit conhaving an open position permitting the supply 'of fluid through said passage and a closed position shutting on the supply of fluid through said passage, an armature, an electromagnet cooperable withsaid armature, said electromagnet being effective when energized to hold said armature in attracted position and said valve element in open position but ineffective to move said armature to attracted position andsaid valve element to open position, a reset stem movable inwardly for resetting said armatureto attracted position and said valve element to open position, a second valve element slidablymounted on said reset stem and arranged to cooperate with the other valve seat to shut off flow of fluid through the passage during a resetting operation, a reset spring abutment member on said reset stem, a reset spring interposed between said abutment member and an abutment on the valve body forreturning the reset stem to its outer position upon completion of the resetting operation, retainer means on said reset stem, and a'secondspring interposed between said abutment member and said second valve element so as normally to hold said second valve element against the I retainer, said second spring being disposed within the length of said 'flrst spring, the arrangement being such as to permit continued movement of said reset stem after seating of said second valve element .during resetting operations and unseating thereof by movement of said reset stem to its outer positionQ- 3. In a device of the character described, in combination, a safety shut-of! device including a valve body, a passage therethrough adapted to 1 be connected at one end to an inlet conduit and at its other end to an outlet conduit, said passage having a pair of coaxial spaced valve seats, a valve element coacting with one of said seats hav-v ing an open position permitting the supply of fluid through said passage and a closed position shutting off the supply of fluid through said passage, an armature, an electromagnet cooperable with said armature, said electromagnet being effective when energized to hold said armature in attracted position and said valve element in open position but inefl'ectlve to move said armature to attracted position and said valve element to open position, a reset stem movable inwardly for resetting said armature to attracted position and said valve element to openposition, a second valve element slidably mounted on said tinued movement of said reset stem after seating of said second valve element during resetting operations. and unseating thereof by movement of said reset, stem to its outer position, and a third valve member flxed on said stem and cooperable with the valve body to prevent leakage from the valve body along the reset stem in the outer position of said stem.

' 4. In a device of the character described, in combination, a safety shut-oi! device including a valve body, a passage therethrough adapted to be connected at one end to an inlet conduit and at its other end to an outlet conduit, said passage having a pair of coaxial spaced valve seats, a valve element coacting with one of said seats having an open position permitting the supply of fluid through said passage and a closed position shutting oi! the supply of fluid through said passage, an armature, an electromagnet cooperable with said armature, said electromagnet being eflective when energized to hold said armature in attracted position and said valve element in open position but inefl'ective to move said amature to attracted position and saidivalve element to open position, a reset stem movable inwardly for resetting said armature to attracted position -upon completion of the resetting operation, re-

tainer means on said reset stem, and a second coiled spring interposed between said abutment member and said second valve element so as normally to hold said second valve element againstthe retainer, the arrangement being such as to permit continued movement of said reset stem after seating of said second valve element during resetting operations and unseatlng thereof by movement of said reset stem to its outer position, said second spring being arranged within the convolutions of said first spring with its length confined within the length of said'flrst' spring.

5. In a device ofthe character described, in combination, a safety shut-off device including a valve body, a passage therethrough adapted to be connected at one end to an inlet conduit and at its other end to an outlet conduit, said passage having a pair of coaxial spaced valve seats, a valve element coacting with'one of said seats having an open position permitting the supply of fluid through said passage and a closed position shutting oil the supp y of fluid through said passage, an armature, an electromagnet cooperable with said armature, said electromagnet being ofiective when energized to hold said armature in attracted position and said valve element in open position but ineflective to move said armature to attracted position and said valve element to open position, a reset stem movable inwardly for resetting said armature to attracted position and said valve element to open position, a. second valve element slidably mounted on said reset stem and arranged to cooperate with the other valve seat to shut oi! how of fluid through the passage during a resetting operation, a reset spring abutment member on said reset stem, a reset member fixed on said stem providing an abutment'for said abutment member, a coiled reset spring interposed between said abutment member and an abutment on the valve body for returning the reset stem to its outer position upon completion of the resetting operation, re-

tainer means on said reset stem, and a third valve member fixed on said reset member and cooperable with the valve body to prevent leakage from the valve body along the reset stem in the outer position of said stem, said second spring being arranged within the convolutions of said first spring with its length confined within the length of said first spring.

CLARENCE WAN'IZ. 

